The carriage came to a steady stop at the door.

Yao Ru descended the steps.

She didn’t even glance at Ying Fuyan.

In fact, since Ying Fuyan appeared, she hadn’t once been distracted by him.

But for some unknown reason, as she passed by Ying Fuyan, she, who had always been composed, suddenly stepped on her skirt and stumbled forward.

The servant woman gasped, "Mistress."

Ying Fuyan’s gaze tightened, and he instinctively reached out a hand.

But Yao Ru had already regained her balance.

She looked at Ying Fuyan with an indifferent glint.

Ying Fuyan slowly withdrew his hand that had touched a corner of her attire. "The path is uneven, madam, do be careful."

Although it was clearly her own fault, this advisor amusingly blamed the road.

Yao Ru had encountered Ying Zhi’s advisors before; they were exceptionally articulate.

Yao Ru wouldn’t speak with an outsider. She nodded slightly and prepared to board the carriage.

But as she stepped onto the footstool, before bending to enter the compartment, for some reason, her body reacted, and she turned to look at him.

The man before her had defined features, a sickly air about him. Holding a warmer, his gaze, though somber, held clarity as it met hers, unflinching.

His health was evidently poor, yet he stood very straight.

Having suffered greatly, and taking medicine for years, his appearance had changed significantly over time.

How could Yao Ru possibly recognize him?

"Madam."

The servant asked, "Did you forget something?"

Realizing her lapse, Yao Ru merely shook her head.

Yet despite this, she hesitated and asked Ying Fuyan aloud.

"Sir, you seem familiar. Have we met before?"

Ying Fuyan tightened his grip around the warmer and heard himself say.

"Princess Consort jests. I only recently arrived in Shangjing and have not met you before."

Indeed.

Yao Ru entered the compartment.

The servant ordered the driver to depart and then entered herself.

The wheels of the carriage with the plaque of the Second Prince Mansion began to roll as Ying Fuyan watched it gradually move away.

The servant murmured, "That Jia adviser hardly looks like he has many years left."

Yao Ru frowned slightly but said nothing.

It was clear she agreed with the servant.

The servant added, "He didn’t know propriety though, earlier, he even tried to assist you, madam."

Though it was with good intent.

"Next time you see him, madam, best not to mind him. Not to mention, being someone of the Fifth Prince, if master learns of this, perhaps..."

Her subsequent words were swallowed under Yao Ru’s indifferent gaze.

"Alright, this old servant will not speak further."

Yao Ru closed her eyes, feigning sleep.

Yet, upon closing her eyes, all she saw was Ying Fuyan’s ailing face.

She frowned again, and for some unknown reason, lifted the curtain to look back.

The wheels were turning, and they’d traveled quite far.

But she still caught sight of Ying Fuyan standing there. Perhaps unwell, he was being supported by a servant, coughing into a handkerchief.

Yet despite this, it was as though he sensed it, raising his eyes to look over.

Yao Ru paused, slowly releasing her hand.

The curtain fell, obscuring everything outside.

"Have we donated for incense and oil money to the temple these past few months?"

A very ordinary question made the servant turn pale.

"Yes, yes, as you directed, this old servant would not dare forget."

Yao Ru nodded. "Such matters require sincerity. Earlier, with a heavy body, then with matters after Dun was born, next month I’d better go personally."

The servant opened her mouth, but knowing it would anger Yao Ru, ultimately held back.

Forget it.

Forget it.

There weren’t many things the mistress cared about these days.

Having something to look forward to was good.

The carriage gradually moved away until it vanished.

Only then did Ying Fuyan allow the servant to help him back to the mansion.

Elder Ge, not one to show his face, had been paying attention outside. Upon learning the two exchanged almost no words, he repeatedly sighed at Ying Fuyan’s incompetence.

But it’s true,

what could be said at this juncture?

Ying Fuyan couldn’t reveal his identity.

And this time, his return wouldn’t spare any of those in the Imperial Family.

Ying Zhi included.

Who knows how the Second Prince Consort would react to Ying Zhi’s downfall?

After all, they had married and even had children.

Elder Ge thought, surely there were some feelings?

He felt troubled!

Elder Ge said, "You know, back then the General used another’s identity to wed the madam."

"In retrospect, he was indeed ruthless."

"Seizing another’s wife, though not pleasant-sounding, was effective."

Ying Fuyan ignored him, heading straight indoors, his expression steadily growing more detached.

He still remembered the incident with the Yan Family, the whole household exiled. His father, his pregnant mother, and hundreds of serving household members, all donned in prison garb, shackled hand and foot, walking to exile under the lashes of officials’ whips.

Crowds gathered on either side of the road to watch.

They pointed, they shouted curses.

——"I must have been blind to think King Yan was good. Didn’t expect him to conspire with enemy nations in a bid to be Emperor."

——"All these years, the Prince Yan Mansion’s charity, distributing porridge, it was all just for show, to build a reputation."

Rotten eggs and leaves were hurled at them.

Father instinctively shielded Mother, Ying Fuyan did the same.

But for someone who loved beauty so much, Mother still got sullied, egg liquid trickling oozily down from her head.

She paid no mind to such things, only cautiously protecting her belly.

No one dared openly send them off, rather privately bribing to lessen their suffering along the way.

Only one person.

Yao Ru, following behind them, tears in her eyes, tracking them from the Capital to the outskirts, refusing to be sent away.

She cried,

——"I’m not afraid of hardship. I’m already betrothed to Brother Yan, so I am part of the Prince Yan Mansion."

Mother, eyes reddening.

——"Ru, listen, go back."

——"Child, we can’t protect you anymore. But you must live well."

Yao Ru wept uncontrollably, her eyes bloodshot.

Ying Fuyan: "Go!"

For the first time, he shouted at her, "Our betrothal no longer counts. Ying Fuyan wishes Miss Yao will find a good husband in the future, live your life well, and forget about us who have incurred the wrath of the heavens."

——"Don’t mention our engagement to anyone."

Even though everyone in Shangjing knew.

But clearly, this...

——"Being associated with Prince Yan Mansion won’t benefit you. Do you understand?"

He said,

——"Remember what I told you? Whatever the situation, put yourself first."

He had been so stern.

But Yao Ru wouldn’t leave.

She was young, but she understood, if she left, she might never meet them again in this life.

Being the daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, the officials dared not chastise her.

Soon enough, Minister Yao arrived. Approaching, he gave Yao Ru a hard slap.

——"You wretched child! Who let you out? Old Master Lu pleaded for them and was beaten to death, do you want the Holy Emperor to blame the entire Yao family too?"

——"Come back with me!"

Being a young girl from a good family, especially one raised well in the Prince Yan Mansion, her cheek soon bore a distinct handprint.

But Ying Fuyan couldn’t protect her; he couldn’t protect anyone.

He could only watch as Yao Ru was dragged away, struggling by Minister Yao.

Ying Fuyan numbly trudged forward, the heavy shackles and chains made each step laborious.

One by one, those around him fell.

But the road continued onward.

Thus, their paths diverged.

His eyes were dark, with a flash of red light, just like during his mother’s tragic death during childbirth, her prison garments stained with dirt, soaked in blood.

But his beloved Ah Ru, still lived poorly.